Powerbank recommendations please?

Forums › Mobile handsets › Powerbank recommendations please?

1 | 2 | 3

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#1693714 22-Dec-2016 10:56

jonb:

The Sense 6+ I ordered from AliExpress about a month ago arrived today. Seems to be a sweet spot between performance, power (20000mAh) and features - lcd charge level and 2x usb ports (1x 2.1A, 1x1A output). Was US$17 .

Have you got a link for the one you got?

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#1693716 22-Dec-2016 10:58

I tried to order a Xiaomi one from Banggood about a month ago and I later got an email saying that customs had rejected it, not sure where. And now they no longer offer powerbanks to ship to New Zealand.

maoriboy

1007 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1693719 22-Dec-2016 11:04

The 30,000mAH one I bought off Aliexpress came through about 4 weeks or so after payment was made. No issues shipping it.

MichaelNZ

1385 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Integrity Tech Solutions

#1694461 23-Dec-2016 21:16

I have short listed the Powerall 16Ah available at Repco for $199.In addition to the post by dafman, I'd like feedback, thanks.

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1694466 23-Dec-2016 21:40

MichaelNZ:

I have short listed the Powerall 16Ah available at Repco for $199.In addition to the post by dafman, I'd like feedback, thanks.

Unless you're planning on jump starting a car while you're away why would you want to carry something so bulky? Unless it's a smart charger it's also potentially useless for charging phones as I've mentioned in numerous posts above.

You would also need to clarify whether that can be taken in carry on since the native voltage may not be 5V and could easily exceed 100Wh

MichaelNZ

1385 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Integrity Tech Solutions

#1694468 23-Dec-2016 21:59

sbiddle:

Unless you're planning on jump starting a car while you're away why would you want to carry something so bulky? Unless it's a smart charger it's also potentially useless for charging phones as I've mentioned in numerous posts above.

You would also need to clarify whether that can be taken in carry on since the native voltage may not be 5V and could easily exceed 100Wh

I thought a multi use device seemed like good a idea. Thanks for alerting me to this.

Please elaborate on this charging issue. I thought the charger was built into the device?

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1694509 24-Dec-2016 07:06

MichaelNZ:

sbiddle:

Unless you're planning on jump starting a car while you're away why would you want to carry something so bulky? Unless it's a smart charger it's also potentially useless for charging phones as I've mentioned in numerous posts above.

You would also need to clarify whether that can be taken in carry on since the native voltage may not be 5V and could easily exceed 100Wh

I thought a multi use device seemed like good a idea. Thanks for alerting me to this.

Please elaborate on this charging issue. I thought the charger was built into the device?

As I've pointed out many times before USB ports are not all the same. If you have a QC2.0 or QC3.0 capable phone them IMHO you'd be stupid not to get a QC2.0 or QC3.0 capable charger, and IMHO when you start looking at something in the 20,000mAh capacity range then QC2.0 (or even QC3.0) support for charging the battery pack is also essential or you'll suddenly be finding it takes 15 - 20 hours to charge it.

In regards to the rest pretty much every IFE system, USB/power socket combo and many USB chargers and battery packs on the market are merely dumb chargers. They'll charge a modern phone at 300mA~500mA tops because they have no smarts in them to charge faster, even if they proudly claim they're a 2.1A port. Plug your phone into something like an Anker, Ravpower or some other brand of smart charger and you'll find it charges 2-3 times quicker.

I would certainly never drop $199 on a charger like that if my prime use was for a phone without knowing what speeds it would charge a phone at. These products make no claims anywhere (even on their website) about having any sort of smart charging capability so you should assume they'll charge a phone at 300mA-500mA range unless you know otherwise.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

jonb

1771 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1694515 24-Dec-2016 07:44

That sense 6+ from AliExpress doesn't seem so great after a bit of testing - only gets 4 mobile phone charges from it so doubt it is anywhere near the claimed 20000mAh capacity. Charges the phone fairly quickly though at least, but also takes over twelve hours to recharge itself again.
Have heard good things about the xiaomi powerbanks, think I should have got the 13000mAh version of that, to also be able to take on planes with without being up against the FAA limit.

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#1694528 24-Dec-2016 08:30

jonb: That sense 6+ from AliExpress doesn't seem so great after a bit of testing - only gets 4 mobile phone charges from it so doubt it is anywhere near the claimed 20000mAh capacity. Charges the phone fairly quickly though at least, but also takes over twelve hours to recharge itself again.
Have heard good things about the xiaomi powerbanks, think I should have got the 13000mAh version of that, to also be able to take on planes with without being up against the FAA limit.

Let me know if you manage to find one at a good price. The few places I've tried don't seem to send to New Zealand anymore.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1694529 24-Dec-2016 08:35

CutCutCut:
jonb: That sense 6+ from AliExpress doesn't seem so great after a bit of testing - only gets 4 mobile phone charges from it so doubt it is anywhere near the claimed 20000mAh capacity. Charges the phone fairly quickly though at least, but also takes over twelve hours to recharge itself again.
Have heard good things about the xiaomi powerbanks, think I should have got the 13000mAh version of that, to also be able to take on planes with without being up against the FAA limit.

Let me know if you manage to find one at a good price. The few places I've tried don't seem to send to New Zealand anymore.

The Chinese have really clamped down on batteries. Even flying they're far more strict than most Western countries. When I flew out of China in June all battery packs in carry on (batteries aren't allowed at all in checked luggage which is now the norm around the world) had to be individually xrayed at screening and were physically inspected for any sign of bulging or damage.

CutCutCut

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#1694530 24-Dec-2016 08:41

The new blitzwolf ones look quite good, but again banggood etc won't ship

dafman

3925 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1694636 24-Dec-2016 17:44

sbiddle:

MichaelNZ:

I have short listed the Powerall 16Ah available at Repco for $199.In addition to the post by dafman, I'd like feedback, thanks.

Unless you're planning on jump starting a car while you're away why would you want to carry something so bulky? Unless it's a smart charger it's also potentially useless for charging phones as I've mentioned in numerous posts above.

You would also need to clarify whether that can be taken in carry on since the native voltage may not be 5V and could easily exceed 100Wh

I purchased the Powerall solely to use for emergency jump start as our Outback is an auto with electronic handbrake, so you can't move the car if flat battery (which we discovered a couple of weeks ago!). I wouldn't use the Powerall for charging phones when travelling - it's bulky plastic, whereas the Huawei I have is much smaller and lighter and perfect for travelling (and not to mention also a third of the price).

MichaelNZ

1385 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Integrity Tech Solutions

#1695558 27-Dec-2016 21:23

I am presently looking at the following options from PB Tech:

Mophie Powerstation XXL (20Ah) $131.00

Orico 20000mAh Dual Output 5V2.1A x2 Power Bank (S2), Aluminium Alloy $79.35

Promate PROVOLTA-21.BLK, Provolta-21 20800mAh Power Bank 3.1A Smart Output External Battery 3 Port Pack Portable Charger $82.00

Swiss Power Pack 18000mAh - Black $100.88

Xiaomi Mi 20000mAh Power Bank, White, Panasonic/LG battery cells,Dual USB ports $74.99

None of these explicitly mention QC2.0 or QC3.0.

The Mophie looks the nicest but I am leaning towards the Xiaomi due to it's higher power rating (3.6A) and cheaper price.

My main gadgets are a Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Tab S2. It appears the S6 supports fast charging and the Tab S2 does not. I have not been able to find any information on how this translates to charging current ratings.

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

jarledb

Webhead
3253 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1695594 28-Dec-2016 00:12

dafman:

I used this 13,000 mAh Huawei earlier this year on an overseas trip and cannot recommend it highly enough. Really well built and I never exhausted the charge when travelling. Great output, charges devices quickly and has dual USB input, so can connect two devices. Really good price at Noel Leeming at moment.

$34 at Noel Leeming at the moment. Got myself one (they limit it to one per customer). 1/2 price of the regular price..

Jarle Dahl Bergersen | Referral Links: Want $50 off when you join Octopus Energy? Use this referral code
Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by making a donation or subscribing.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1695615 28-Dec-2016 07:04

@sbiddle:

I recommend two branks. Anker, followed by RavPower. IMHO Anker make the best charging products on the market. My reasons for recommending these are in the many identical threads in the past discussing this same issue on here.

Since you haven't given any details of requirements (capacity is only but a small one - number of ports and QC2.0 / QC3.0 support are the most critical) it's hard to recommend anything specific.

A few months back I remember you said Anker brank should be available in NZ. Any update?

1 | 2 | 3